AK legislators support disaster request for Kenai windstorms

According to a media release, Parnell requested on Jan. 12 a major disaster declaration for the series of storms that left an estimated 9,000 residents and businesses without power outages for up to 48 hours in areas caused by trees snapping and breaking power lines.

The governor also concluded assistance is needed under the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Public Assistance program to mitigate the damage caused by the storms, assist with debris removal and fix infrastructure damage.

“We write to endorse Gov. Parnell’s request for a federal declaration and encourage you to act on the request expeditiously,” Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Mark Begich and Rep. Don Young wrote.